John Wilson
and his hand-picked singers and eponymous orchestra present a sparkling collection of the songs of
Cole Porter
, featured in such Hollywood classics as
Kiss Me, Kate
;
High Society
Can-Can
Silk Stockings
; and other films from the golden age of musicals. With vocalists
Anna-Jane Casey
,
Kim Criswell
Matthew Ford
Sarah Fox
, and
Richard Morrison
, backed by the
Maida Vale Singers
Wilson
aims to re-create the songs as they were originally heard, in many cases using reconstructions of the music by himself,
Andrew Cottee
Paul Campbell
, as well as existing arrangements. Not only is this an entertaining album of
Porter
's most memorable songs, offered in a spirit of fun, but it is a valuable act of preservation, because many of the original scores and parts have been lost. Thanks to
and his colleagues, these performances have the vintage appeal and wit of the movie versions, as well as the vitality and personalities of the present artists. ~ Blair Sanderson